Chore Cool: A Beefed Up Rubber Boot by Muck Boot [Review]

April 10, 2013

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Muck boots and the Chore Cool. My feet usually get hot in any type of rubber boot once the temps get much about 50. After wearing them for a month I am very pleased and find myself wearing them more than I thought I would. They are a fully waterproof boot with a 4mm Flexfoam bootie, steel shank, Vibram sole, and ExpressCool fabric liner.

I was unsure how the boot would do in warmer temps and so far I’ve only been able to test that inside buildings but I’m happy with the results. The ExpressCool fabric does a great job of pulling the moisture away from the foot and dispersing it to dry parts of the boot giving it an evaporation cooling effect. The 4mm Flexfoam bootie is extremely comfortable and I can barely feel it under my pants (which is a huge improvement to where most boots rub the hair off and leave the skin irritated).

The Chore Cool provides very good support for a rubber boot and I find it’s a boot that someone can use all day in the construction or outdoors industry and not complain come time to clock out. It has a steel shank which gives added support along with a Vibram sole ensuring years of use.

I had one minor problem with the boot where my left foot it rubbed my ankle. It may just be me and my fat ankle but the problem was quickly solved with a Nalgene bottle stuffed into the boot and placed in front of the fireplace for an evening. No more rubbing and it’s now as comfortable as the boot on my right foot.

The Chore Cool is a boot that I found made its own little niche and filled it nicely. I can already see it’s going to be a great boot for the summer as I find myself stomping around muddy farm fields and washing airplanes. For the winter I find it very adequate in cold temps especially if you are wearing a pair of ski socks. This is definitely a boot to consider if you find yourself on your feet for long hours in wet conditions or warm weather.

I have recently purchased a pair of Arctic pro Muck boots
due to lack of options in steel toe rubber boots and I would like to point out
several inferior qualities in them as to walking comfort:

The fit foot is nice that is the extent of the positive
features The worst feature of these boots is from the ankle up, the boot top,
the top is ridiculously stiff, there is no need for this , the top only
needs to be single ply rubber, for water
proofing, the insulation and thickness of the top makes walking in them
completely uncomfortable to the point I decided to cut the top off 4 inches
above the ankle. Rendering them useless in deep water but manageable to walk
in. I would have preferred an 18 inch single ply soft rubber up from the ankle.
Also due to the tight insulted fit of the terrible boot tops causes sweat to
build up causing the feeling of wet feet about hour into wearing them leaving
me with sweaty feet, for the rest of the day, it was 24 degrees out.

Then there is the soles of the boots they are
uncomfortable as well due to the low heel and lack of grip. As well they are
stiff soled over all making them completely miserable to walk or climb in from
the lack of grip and flexibility.

Over all these have been the most uncomfortable footwear
I have ever owned.